Collapsible tossing game target

ABSTRACT

A bag tossing game target device having a pair of hingedly connected panels, one being obliquely inclined and having a bag receiving hole. A u-shaped brace is pivotally mounted to a pair of inner support beams mounted on opposite sides of said hole. The brace pivots into detachable engagement with a pair of catch members attached to the other panel. The target device can be easily collapsed to a flat storable position or opened into a rigid game target.

United States Patent [1 1 Haney 1 Sept. 24, 1974 COLLAPSIBLE TOSSINGGAME TARGET [76] Inventor: Harold I. Haney, 2623 S. Twelfth St.,lronton, Ohio 45638 [22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 298,939

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/105 R, 273/102 S [51] Int. Cl A63b 72/00 [58] Field ofSearch 273/95 R, 102 R, 105 R,

273/DIG. 4; 108/115, 116; 40/102, 104.06, 104.08, 104.09, 104.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,021,989 1l/1935 DeMaster273/105 R 3,035,838 5/1962 Johnston 273/105 R 9/1969 Triplett 108/1158/1972 Knight 273/D1G. 4

Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerMarvin Siskind [57] ABSTRACT A bag tossing game target device having a pair of hingedlyconnected panels, one being obliquely inclined and having a bagreceiving hole. A u-shaped brace is pivotally mounted to a pair of innersupport beams mounted on opposite sides of said hole. The brace pivotsinto detachable engagement with a pair of catch members attached to theother panel. The target device can be easily collapsed to a fiatstorable position or opened into a rigid game target.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures COLLAPSIBLE TOSSING GAME TARGET BACKGROUNDThis invention relates generally to a game device and more particularlyrelates to a receiving target for a tossing game which is readilystorable and yet unfolds into a sturdy structure.

Bag tossing games are very desirable because they are safe, may beplayed in all seasons, indoors or outdoors, and appeal to all agegroups.

Other inventors have shown tossing games targets utilizing an inclinedsurface with a bag receiving hole. For example, such game devices areshown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,628,793; 406,342; 1,636,920; 2,021,989;2,291,104; and 3,504,787.

Pleasant games may be played with these game devices. However, previousgame devices, in order to be suitably stable and rigid, have comprisedsolid box-like structures which, when the game is not in use, aredifficult and bulky to store. Those game devices which are substantiallyfoldable so that they may be easily stored tend to be weak, unstableand/or complicated to assemble.

There is a need for a tossing game target device which is foldablycollapsible to a flat, easily storable configuration but which may beeasily unfolded and assembled to form a rigid, sturdy structure. Thereis similarly a need for such a sturdy game device which may be made ofinexpensive, thin sheet material and inexpensive and simple supportingstructure.

SUMMARY The invention is an improved bag tossing game device of the typehaving the first rigid front sheet with a central bag receiving hole anda second supporting sheet. The game device has a pair of hinge meanspivotally connecting said sheets and mounted near the top edge of eachof these sheets. A pair of support beams are attached to the front sheeton opposite sides of the hole and facing the supporting sheet. Thesupport beams extend from near the top edge to near the opposite edge ofthe front sheet. A u-shaped, rod-like brace has each of its ends rigidlymounted to a different one of the support beams. A pair of catch membersare mounted to the supporting sheet and are positioned to detachablyengage the bottom leg-joining portion of the U-shaped brace.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved game devicehaving improved rigidity and simplicity while capable of being veryeasily folded into a flat storable position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game device which may beconstructed of thin, inexpensive sheet material but is constructed toexhibit suitable strength.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game device in which theparts can not separate from the whole unit and be subject to loss.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an easilycollapsible and assemblable game device which includes a rear panelproviding not only support but operating as a back stop to retain tossedbags within the game device.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent form thefollowing specification and claims when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the underside of the embodiment ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in acollapsed configuration.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which isillustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted tofor the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended to be limited tothe specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that eachspecific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in asimilar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the FIGURES, the preferredembodiment of the invention is a tossing game target indicated generallyas 10. The target 10 has a first rigid front sheet 12 preferably formedof one-quarter inch Masonite for example, and desirably painted in apleasing color. A central bag-receiving hole 14 is formed through thesheet 12 to receive a tossed bag 16. This game bag 16 is a bean bag,sand bag or similar article.

During play, the sheet 12 is inclined to a horizontal surface, such as afloor, on which the target 10 is set. The rear of the target 10 issupported by a second rigid support sheet 18.

Preferably, a game is played with two such sloping targets, like thetarget 10, which are positioned approximately 30 feet apart with theirbag receiving openings facing each other. Eight game bags are preferablyused and are tossed by the contestants from a standing position besideone of the game targets and toward the opposite target. The details ofthe structure of the target 10 are illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 25 which illustrate the advantageous structure of the invention.

A pair of hinge means, such as hinges 20 and 22 are mounted near the topedges of each of the sheets 12 and 18. A pair of wooden support beams 26and 28 are attached to the front sheet 12 on opposite sides of thebag-receiving hole 14. These support beams 26 and 28 are mounted on theinner side of the front sheet 12 preferably by nails and face thesupporting sheet 18. They extend from near the top edge 30 of the firstsheet 12 to near its opposite edge 32.

Preferably, the hinges 20 and 22 have a pivot axis 24 which is spacedfrom the opposed surfaces of the sheets 12 and 18, a total distancegreater than the thickness of the support beams 26 and 28. This permitsthe sheets 12 and 18 to be pivoted around the pivots 24 and 24A into aparallel relationship on opposite sides of the sup port beams so thatthe target device 12 is very conveniently folded into a flatconfiguration.

As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 3, the support beams 26 and 28extend beyond the pivot axis of the hinges, such as pivot axis 24, sothat the support sheet 18 pivots against the ends 36 and 38 of thesupport beams 26 and 28 and against the front sheet 12 when the targetdevice is opened into its operable position. The cooperation of theseparts increased the rigidity of the game device.

A U-shaped, rod-like brace 40 maintains the sheets 12 and 18 rigidly intheir opened position when the game target is being used. The brace 40has each of its ends 42 and 44 pivotally mounted to a different one ofthe support beams 26 and 28. To accomplish this pivotal connection, apair of bores 46 and 48 are formed in the distal sides of the supportbeams 26 and 28. The ends 42 and 44 of the brace 40 are formed withright angle bends and extend into these bores 46 and 48. Consequently,the brace 40 pivots freely about an axis through the bores 46 and 48.-

To secure the brace 40 in its operable position, a pair of catch members50 and 52 are mounted to the supporting sheet 18. The catch members 50and 52 are positioned to detachably engage the bottom leg-joiningportion 54 of the u-shaped brace 40.

Each of these catch members, such as the catch member 50, comprises anelastically movable cantilever tongue 56 which is bent to have a baseportion 58 which is riveted to the supporting sheet 18. The cantilevertongue 56 extends above the surface of the supporting sheet 18 andapproximately parallel to that surface. It extends toward the hangededges of the sheets so that the bottom portion 54 of the brace 40 may bepivoted beneath the tongue 56 of the catch member 50. Therefore, thebrace is releasably retained between the tongues of the catch members 50and 52 and the inner surface of the supporting sheet 18.

The target structure of FIGS. 1 w 4 is therefore very easily folded tothe collapsed position illustrated in FIG. 5. To accomplish this, thebottom leg-joining portion 54 of the brace 40 is merely pushed towardthe hinged edge of the sheets 12 and 18 and thereby released from thecatch member 50 and 52. The brace is pivoted against the support beams26 and 28. The supporting sheet 18 is then pivoted up against thesupport beams 26 and 28.

When the game device is to be used, the targets are removed from storageand the supporting sheets 18 are pivoted away from their storageposition. The brace 40 may then be rotated downwardly into engagementbeneath the catch members and 52.

From the above, it can be seen that relatively inexpensive materials,such as quarter inch sheet, may be used and yet the target is made rigidin a simple but critical manner by the support beams 26 and 28. Thesupport beams also serve additional functions. They provide a pivot forthe brace 40. Furthermore, the support beams 26 and 28 are strategicallyterminated at their ends 36 and 38 so that the support sheet 18 may bepivoted against them to further-strengthen the target structure. Therear support sheet 18 not only supports the front sheet 12 in itsinclined position but further it provides a backstop to retain tossedbags within the game target device.

The target device 10 further may be assembled by two quick and simplepivotal motions without any complicated assembly being necessary.Additionally, all necessary parts to the target device 10 are connectedto the deviceand are never detached from the device and therefore arenever subject to loss or misplacement.

Although the game may be played and enjoyed according to a wide varietyof rules, I have devised a set of rules which I have found to beparticularly enjoyable. When played according to the following rules, agame is provided which may be played in all seasons indoors or outdoors.The game is found to be quite entertaining and to provide good exercisefor all age groups. The game is quite safe because there is no sharp ordangerous equipment or fast moving, dangerous objects which must becontended with.

When the game is played on hard, smooth surfaces it is advantageous thatthe game target devices be positioned on non-slip throw rugs. Two suchgame target devices are used and are spaced as described above. Thefirst pitch may be decided upon by a coin toss, the loser having thechoice of game bag colors. There are preferably provided four game bagsof one color and four game bags of a second color. In singles, onecontestant stands on each side of one game board, as in the game ofhorseshoes. In doubles, as in horseshoes, each team has one contestingmember at each game board. The toes of the players should not extendbeyond front edge of the game board as the pitching motion is begun butcontestants may take one step forward as they pitch the game bag towardthe opposite target device.

In scoring, one point is counted for each game bag that enters thetarget hole. Opponents alternately pitch the four game bags from onegame board to the other and after all eight bags are pitched a round iscompleted. The game continues through several complete rounds until thetotal score of one person or team is 21 points.

I have found it interesting to score the game so that only onecontestant can score in a round. The contestant having the last game bagto enter the target hole receives the complete score based upon thetotal number of bags passing through the target hole.

If one or more game bags should hang up on the board or edge of thetarget hole and subsequently be knocked in or nudged in by a contestantsgame bag so that one or both fall through the target hole, then thecontestants game bag to enter the target hole last is granted a fullscore.

It is to be understood that while the detailed drawings and specificexamples given describe a preferred embodiment of the invention, theyare for the purposes of illustration only, that the apparatus of theinvention is not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosedand that various changes may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An improved bag tossing game device comprising: (a) a first rigidfront sheet with a central bag receiving hole pivotally mounted near itstop edge to a second, rigid, supporting rear sheet; (b) a pair ofsupport beams attached to said front sheet on opposite sides of saidhole, facing said supporting sheet and extending from near the bottomedge of said front sheet to beyond the pivot axis of said sheets forpermitting the top end of said supporting sheet to pivot against saidfront sheet and against the top end of said support beams, said beamshaving a pair of bores formed on their distally opposite sides: (c) apair of hinge means for pivotally connecting said sheets as aforesaid,said hinge means having a pivot axis spaced from the opposed surfaces ofsaid sheets a total distance greater than the thickness brace, each ofsaid catch members formed by an elastically movable cantilever tongueextending approximately parallel to the surface of said supporting sheettoward the hinged edges and extending above the surface a distanceslightly less than the thickness of said brace for releasably retainingthe brace between the tongues and the surface of the supporting sheet.

1. An improved bag tossing game device comprising: (a) a first rigidfront sheet with a central bag receiving hole pivotally mounted near itstop edge to a second, rigid, supporting rear sheet; (b) a pair ofsupport beams attached to said front sheet on opposite sides of saidhole, facing said supporting sheet and extending from near the bottomedge of said front sheet to beyond the pivot axis of said sheets forpermitting the top end of said supporting sheet to pivot against saidfront sheet and against the top end of said support beams, said beamshaving a pair of bores formed on their distally opposite sides: (c) apair of hinge means for pivotally connecting said sheets as aforesaid,said hinge means having a pivot axis spaced from the opposed surfaces ofsaid sheets a total distance greater than the thickness of said supportbeams for permitting said sheets to be pivoted into parallelrelationship on opposite sides of said support beams; (d) a U-shaped,rod-like brace having each of its ends formed with right angle bends andpivotally extending into said bores in said support beams; and (e) apair of catch members mounted to said supporting sheet and positioned todetachably engage the bottom leg-joining portion of said U-shaped brace,each of said catch members formed by an elastically movable cantilevertongue extending approximately parallel to the surface of saidsupporting sheet toward the hinged edges and extending above the surfacea distance slightly less than the thickness of said brace for releasablyretaining the brace between the tongues and the surface of thesupporting sheet.